It’s 7:08 am and we are heading into Helsinki, Finland. Good Morning and while Heidi prepares herself to dispatch 1500 people on tour by spending 7 hours doing her hair I have just finished reading the news online. I always start my mornings by clicking onto the CNN, BBC and SKY news internet sites and seeing whats happened in the world while I have been asleep dreaming of Jessica Simpson and a swimming pool filled with whipped cream.
This morning the news really made me mad.
Let’s start with my old favorite topic The Alvironment……….. According to President Gore Global warming’s coming, and even if he stands on the beach waving his Toyota Prius at the advancing heat wave, it won’t make bugger all difference… But don’t worry, because I have a plan. The biggest threat we face, according to the Mr. Gore’s interview on CNN, is rising sea levels.
Plainly, then, there is too much water in the world, so why don’t we just call NASA and ask it to take some of it into space? Space is only 75 miles from the surface of the Earth, so why not make a giant hosepipe, dip one end in the sea and take the other end out into the void, where, of course, there is a vacuum. That means the water will be sucked up the pipe without the need for any energy-absorbing pump……..and that suggestion should have just won me a Nobel Prize which I will sell it on E Bay and buy 5 Polar Bear killing Range Rovers.
So, reading this had already put me in a bad mood and then I opened the incident report and through the sound of Heidi’s turbo charged hair dryer I read this:
Guest: Mrs ______ Ref: 002801272A Owner: (LEES) Judith Lerato Sefako
Cabin: _____Booking#: _______ Added-Changed: 07/17/08 – 07/18/086299 – Unhappy with the German Beer Party
Mr. and Mrs._______ Came to the desk to say that they were angry and upset about the German beer party held on Lido Deck. They said the party was a celebration of Germany and for them as people of the Jewish religion it was very bad. Mrs ________ was crying and her husband was shouting that he wanted a public apology from the Cruise Director.
Guests left the desk and Purser promised Cruise Director would call.
So, I did. ……………and before I got to even discuss the incident I was told off by Mr. _________ that I had woken him up……….it was 8:55am. I apologized and said I wanted to make sure that I had spoken to them before they went ashore today. The guests were indeed very angry at me and even though I tried to tell them that the German music the band played was in fact celebrating beer, life, partying and more beer……………but they would not listen. The husband shouted that his grandparents had …………..well………….you know……………I can’t even write the words. I wanted to argue with him, I wanted to tell him that out of 3,300 passengers only he had complained……….I wanted to tell him that I had been stopped a hundred times by guests saying how much they loved the bier fest and the band…………..
I wanted to tell him to stop shouting at me……………………..I wanted to ……………….but I didn’t. How could I……………..how could I say these things when he never got to meet his grandparents………………how could I do anything but apologize……………..so in the end……………that’s what I did.
So, that was me angry, upset and second guessing myself if indeed the German bier fest was such a good idea……………and it was only 9:30am…………..bugger.
Let’s change the subject then………………and talk about cigars.
Some of you may know that the cigar bar on the Carnival Glory has been changed to non smoking and cigar lovers now puff on their Cuban delights in the Sports Bar. This has received mixed emotion I hear. The cigar was designed to be smoked from the comfort of a big leather chair while listening to the soft sultry music of live jazz musicians. It certainly was not designed to sit and smoke while watching Bulgarian Women’s Basketball on ESPN 9.
However, on the other hand why should people who do not smoke not be able to enjoy the jazz music as well as walking through the lounge to get to the Internet café ……………the design of this on the Conquest class was not one of our finest moments.
This is a trial and from what I am told the Carnival Glory is receiving more complaints from the cigar smokers that their lounge has been lost. It’s obvious where my personal loyalties are on this one; however as someone involved in guest service I also see the big picture. So, over to you………….what are your thoughts?
Helsinki then today and another day of not going ashore. We had another plaque ceremony today and while it was not as boring as the one in Denmark it certainly wasn’t what you would call exciting. The highlight was a wooden boat which was presented to the Captain by the Pilot Association………and with respect………it looked like it had been made by Jari Lipmanen………….aged 7.
While I was suffering this and Heidi was finishing tour dispatch two of the staff went on one of the tours. Here are a few photos of beautiful Helsinki.
Now, let’s have a read of some letters in today’s In Their Own Words Section
(click on the letters to make them larger)
Just going back to Germany for a second ……….I hope you enjoyed the videos of our time there and you may have seen the people on the pier saying goodbye to the vessel. Well, we were trumped by the French………………and you know I hate that. However, there is no disguising how the people of Cherbourg welcomed the Queen Mary 2 from her trans- Atlantic voyage as these photos will show……………………..proof positive that Cunard really does rule the waves……………….maybe someone had told the people of Cherbourg there would be free cheese for everyone who came to the quayside.
During the next few days I will be highlighting some of the great Carnival crew who work alongside me here on the Splendor. I will post short interview written in their own words and I hope you all enjoy them. Here is the first………..an interview with Casino Manager Garaeth Miller whose nickname here onboard is “Arthur Daley.”
NAME Gareth Millar
DEPARTMENT AND POSITION Casino – Casino Manager
HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED FOR CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES
9 ½ yearsWHAT DOES YOUR JOB INVOLVE
Overseeing the entire casino operation.WHERE ARE YOU FROM
EnglandWHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB
Travel and the friends I have made.TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY BACK HOME
Mum, dad, both retired, one older sister.WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT BEING IN YOUR HOME COUNTRY APART FROM FAMILY
Watching football (real football) + having a pint with my mates in the pub. Miss the rugby too!FAVORITE THINGS
MOVIE – The original star wars movies, everyone my age loves them I think!
MUSIC – Oasis – a massive fan!
FOOD – Has to be bangers – that’s sausages to everyone else.
IF YOU COULD MEET ANY FAMOUS PERSON IN THE WORLD WHO WOULD IT BE
A night out with the rolling stones. Me and Mick Jagger, now that’s a party.IF YOU HAD TO DO ANOTHER JOB ON THE SHIP WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO AND WHY
I think something in entertainment, those guys get to do something they love and show everyone their talent, plus they get the most time off!
The most time off……………..cheeky git
And so it’s off to St.Petersburg we go. The guests will marvel at the wonders of the Hermitage, be breathless at the ornate splendor of Catherine’s Palace and gasp as the 150 fountains dance in the grounds of the Peterhof. It will be two days they will never forget but little do they know that dealing with the bureaucracy and ever changing rules and regulations of the government there is enough to drive a man to drink.
We knew about everyone needing a passport……………..we knew about everyone needing a photo copy of the passport……………..we took care of this yesterday…………and were then told that everyone’s photo copy had to be stamped…………..with the Carnival Splendor stamp…………..and each time a guest failed to meet these requirements the ship could be fined. Now, this in itself is ridiculous………….why does a photo copy that will be used for Mr. Bollockov the Immigration Officer to doodle on while he waits for his next victim need a stamp that says ” Carnival Splendor.”……………..I mean, it’s not like they are going to have to guess where Mr. and Mrs. Johnson from New York came from…………”Da, did youov comeov the bigove shipov orov did youov walkov from New Yorkov.”
This new rule has caused us to re think at the last minute our tour distribution. Originally, the guests were going to be given there bus sticker as they entered the main theatre but due to the popularity of one of the tours and this new stamp thingy I have had to change the procedure to avoid guests standing in line………..twice.
Here is the letter that was sent to all the 1,200 guests on the Grand Tour which is the 2 day tour that visits everything that this stunning city and beyond has to offer.
Well, we shall see how it goes and what delights the Russian authorities have in store. The Captain is also having difficulties from his side………gangways, garbage disposal, rules and regulations that would make your head spin. The biggest challenge will be though Immigration and how many officers they send to inspect the 3,300 guests. Priority will be given to the guests who have purchased a Carnival Tour and then a little later Immigration will see the guests on private tours………my biggest fear for them is that they have the correct paper work showing they have a visa to get by the men and women with the frying pans on their head…………………..I will let you know how it goes tomorrow.
One thing is for certain………..there will be a line for the Immigration inspection and there will be bugger all I can do about it. I spoke to our agent about this and he told me that to Russian people standing in a line is a national pastime.
NOW, I thought that it was us Brits and the Americans who liked to stand in line but compared with the Russians, we know nothing. They spent 70 years queuing for a loaf of bread and they know every trick in the book. I saw this first hand during the horrendous lines I stood in at Immigration and Customs at St.Petersburg Airport. Time and time again I’d blink, and that would be it………….Mr. Quehooperov who had been behind me would be in front of me in a nanosecond.
And I decided not to cough discreetly and tap him on the shoulder, since the shoulder in question was probably covered in some sort of Special Forces tattoos. A man being torn in half by two bears. A dagger in a head………….. that sort of thing………………….every where I looked I saw big men with even bigger friends………were they KGB…………were they Mafia………….or had I watched too many movies.
And that’s why I chose not to laugh at their swimming trunks when large groups of Russians cruised last year on the Carnival Freedom. However, I will now so I don’t mind telling you they were hilarious. Like Speedos but without the style, usually red or blue and purposely 2 sizes smaller than needed.
Still, they were better dressed than their wives. Elsewhere in the world the thong bathing suit is the preserve of George Hamilton or size 0 Supermodels. In Russia it is also worn by people who are eight tons or 80 years old.
Now I’m told that there are some extremely beautiful Russian girls. But obviously they’re all on the Internet, because the ones who cruised last year looked like they had been drinking botox and vodka and then forced to run a 100 yard sprint in a 90 yard gym.
Except one, who was like nothing on earth. Let’s start with her breasts, which were not vast. Vast is too small a word to convey the scale. When her boyfriend, who had a tattoo of a Siberian Tiger munching on a man’s head on his huge forearm, chose them from the catalogue, he’d probably been tempted by the ones marked “massive.” But in the end he’d gone for the top of the range. The ones known in medical circles as: “Oh, my God .”
The area underneath them had its own micro-climate where you could grow organic vegetables
The first thing I noticed though were her lips, which were so full of collagen she looked like one of those Brazilian rain forest people who have eaten a saucer.
So, I wonder what tomorrow will bring…………………you will know as soon as I do. One thing is for sure……………the reward of going through all the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune thrown at the guests by the authorities the reward…………….will be a visit to one of the most draw droppingly stunning and incomparable cities………………..in the world.
Before I go, I wanted to show you this comment card from the Carnival Fantasy. Big Tex just sent me this and I want to leave the last words to him and one very special lady.
Hey John-
I received the attached comment card from a guest. I thought it was fantastic. We’re even using it in a Corporate Training Program here on the Fantasy. When I read it to the entertainment staff they burst into applause. I just thought I’d forward it on to you as I thought it would be a nice addition to the blog. I got permission from the lady who wrote it to share it with you.
I hope you’re well and enjoying Europe.
Talk to you soon,
Tex
Goodnightov
Yourov Friendsov
John Buggerov and Heidi.
Filed under: Europe, Tales from the Ship, Travel | Tagged: Carnival Splendor, Russia
John
I totally agree with you and the cigars.
On the Freedom this year, my son and son in law and myself
loved going to the cigar bar and sitting in the soft chairs with a glass of cognac, but with that said it was bad planning to put the internet cafe off the cigar bar with no other way of getting there.
Best to Heidi and Steph
Papanh
John, my good friend… You already know my thoughts on the relocation of the cigar bar… NO… end of story. The cigar lounges on the Conquest class are brilliant… it’s that simple. They’re in a wonderful location with wonderfully appropriate music and atmosphere. Sticking us cigar smokers near the casino will only server to tweak the sensibilities of the passers by on the Promenade deck and, eventually, force us to enjoy our cigars in the life boats… BRING BACK THE CIGAR BAR!!!
As for the rest of the blog, sir, wonderful. Isn’t the world such a much better place since Communism changed it’s name???
Pass along my howdies and thanks to both Heidi and the wonderful Stephanie!!
Host Mach
John:
I have to agree….moving the cigar bar from Ivory to the Sports bar is just plain stupid!!! There is no ambiance in the Sports bar for enjoying a cigar or some nice wine before dinner. The cigar bars on the Conquest class are gorgeous and our favorite place to have a smoke and a cocktail before dinner. Where will we go now? Carnival needs to STOP reacting to the few people who complain and leave the design as is!!! First thing I will do is talk to the CD on our upcoming cruise and let him/her know of my displeasure.
Additionally, whose bright idea was it to move the R Rated comedy to the lounges in the rear of the ship? Now you have standing room only and many people do not get to see the shows because of it. We were on the Valor in June and we could not make it from the Main showroom (10:30 show) up front to the lounge in the rear in time to get a seat for the comedy show. All the kaaroke folks were already there, and not a seat to be had. We did not get to see one of our favorite shows the entire week. Now PLEASE, don’t tell me that this was done for the comedians….so they could play to a packed house…..PLEASE, that can’t be the reason. What other reason could it be then???? Find the person who changed this and fire them please!!!!! By the way, I hear it is also the same on some other Conquest class ships…..
Hi John,
Kinda hard to continue to have a section of the ship called Cigar Bar if you can’t smoke ‘em there.
I vote that there be a way to keep the CB and allow cigars to be enjoyed there as was intended. Find some way for folks to access areas nearby without having to pass thru the smoke.
There must be a win-win solution out there.
Phil & Liz
John:
We LOVE Big Tex and may that sweet lady experience much more joy and happiness as she continues on through her life. How amazing it is to know that you have brought that much joy to another human being!! The staff and crew should be very proud!!!
Cigars: Let me preface this by saying you will be hardpressed to find someone who detests smoking of any kind more than me….only because our entire family has been so horribly impacted by it.
HOWEVER, Carnival should provide an area for smokers to enjoy their vice (be it Cigar or cigarette). If huge overstuffed comfortable chairs are what is required to enjoy a Cigar properly…then Carnival should provide it.
Why not glass a walkway from the front of the Ivory Club down the side to the Cyber Space.
There could even be enough room for some of tables and pipe the Jazz music in …without the smoke. The Cigar folks would still have 3/4 of the Club and the jazz band. And folks could get to the Cyber Space without “going through the smoke”. And the glass (with the music piped in) would allow nonsmokers to see and enjoy the music…without the smoke.
Some properly placed glass on the Carnival ships could get rid of a lot of the smoke problems while giving smokers the places they need.
If you need someone to visit every ship and design it….DJ and I VOLUNTEER!!!!
As for the “I hate German note” … there will always be one in every group. Unfortunately, they are always sent your way!!!
Remember the CD Serenity Prayer!!
Linda (Mom of your friend ~still thrilled about the upgrade~DJ)
Hey John (second try lol),
Thanks for the many laughs tonight! I loved that letter from the little boy…I hope he got the autographs.
Jan
John, I know you and Big Ed dearly love your cigars, but unfortunately your cigar and cigarette smoke makes me very sick. We recently sold our business and the man that bought it chose to smoke a cigar in the meeting room prior to our meeting. He was breaking the law as there is not suppose to smoke in public buildings. But he did and he had put it out before the meeting. He also left the ashes and cigar butt in the ash tray. I walked in and could still smell the cigar smoke. Unfortunately I did not have the option to leave the room. As a result I was sick with my sinuses for a week. I have never been in to hear the jazz musicians or the piano players.I understood it was a place that people could smoke so I choose not to get sick on my cruise. I don’t go in the casinos or the sports bar either.
Sorry I can not do anything about my allergic reaction to cigar and cigarette smoke. That is the way God made me……….
Carolyn
John, you know my thoughts on the cigar bar, and I thank you (and Stephanie) for hearing me out. As I said, I don’t smoke (I’ve never even tried a cigarette), but I know how much my husband enjoys the cigar bars on the Conquest-class ships. (He doesn’t regularly smoke, but there’s something about a cruise, a comfortable lounge and jazz music that calls for a cigar.) Our last cruise was on Valor; how can you have a lounge named “Winston’s” and not allow cigars? I’d like to see the cigar bar stay where it is; the only time we have ever visited the sports bar on any of our cruises was last summer when our middle son was suffering from New York Mets withdrawal. It’s just not us.
At the same time, I’ve seen the looks on non-smokers’ faces when they walk through the cigar bar after dinner going to or from the aft dining room. It seems as if a lot of people don’t realize that they could reach the Internet cafe without walking through the cigar lounge by going up to deck 5 and using the midships stairs or elevator (although obviously the most direct route if you’re coming from the aft dining room is through the cigar lounge). Might there be some way to let people know there is a smoke-free way to access the Internet cafe?
I enjoyed the videos of the German band and the idea of the buffet (wow, did the menu look good!) My great-uncle died in 1944 during the Allied invasion of Italy thanks to a German mine. His last name was Grossmann, and his family immigrated from Germany to the United States in the late 19th century. I’m sorry that someone took issue with the sail-away party – but I would have loved it!
By the way, Bill (zydecocruiser) has some nice pictures posted of you at dinner on the second sea day!
John
It has been awhile since I have written, but have enjoyed reading you blog. Really enjoyed the inaugural tape.
Had to let you know we are really looking forward to our back-to-back on the Freedom Nov 30th.
Hope that Todd is still going to be there & not on vacation. We are renewing our vows on the first leg of the cruise.
Any luck on the Christmas ornaments?
By the way Michael got the Freddy tattoo today.
It looks great. How do I send you a picture of it?
Please email me
Take care Cheri
John,
I have to agree give us back our cigar bar move the internet cafe to the sports bar. so my vote is NO. on to russia, isn’t it grand to see how little has changed. But I have a solution for you we get the ship with a rock wall on it to ram the pier and take out the immigration agents and turn it into a tender service port? ok no that won’t work, so how about if we get the temporary tattoo person to stand at the gangway and give everyone a funnel tattoo they last a few days where else could someone get one. Ok maybe not, how about you have the security agents are the gangway equipped with a photo copier or 4 and run off these documents right then and there, put it in said guests hand and off they go. to Yuri who is pondering why is poo is red, could it be the borst.
And to my friends in Russia please take this will all do respect
“мы выиграли потерянные вас идем всасываем лимон”
and don’t forget to add the sugar when you are done filing paper work to get on line to fill out the paperwork for approval of said lemon being needed, so you can get on another line to ensure that your ability to suck on a lemon is ok. then proceed to sector 33.2.1 and file a citrus permit form failure to have said form will result in being forced to eat chicken from Chernobyl farms where there motto is one chicken is all you will ever need. Best to Heidi and of course you my friend get some rest.
Kevin
John,
I don’t think I will get over the two letters; the first one from Susan and Jorge, and the second one from the Fantasy. It has a way of making my problems seem so small, and how thankful I should be.
Now with the story you just told…I don’t know if I would be getting off the ship or not…is it once you get off, you can’t get back on???
As usual, I enjoyed the pictures and the interview with Gareth Millar….you should ask him if he ever gambles when he is on a holiday.
Princess Susan
Hi Hedi and Stephanie!
Hi John,
A cigar bar is a cigar bar. Even though I’m no longer a smoker, on special occasions I do enjoy a nice cigar with a glass of good scotch. And you have to have the comfy chairs and the jazz. They go hand in hand!
As for Mr and Mrs _____, It’s terrible they lost some of their family to Nazi a**holes, but a celebration of Germany’s beer (YUM!) and culture has nothing to do with what those rotten Nazi b@$#%ds did. And it makes no sense to me that anyone would be upset. The German culture was there before the Nazis made their appearance and the German culture is still there now that the Nazis are gone. The fact is, German does not equal Nazi.
By the way John, I’m a big fan of your blog and enjoy reading it daily.
I am really enjoying the photo’s John. Looking forward to lots of photo’s of Russia (that is of course, hoping that the camera’s aren’t confiscated by the KGB or some other agency…. LOL).
It was nice to read the comment card too. It was nice that the woman who wrote it had such a good time after losing her husband. Carnival does have such great crew members. Every cruise we have been on with Carnival (8 now) I do believe the crew that we have had contact with have gone above and beyond to make us comfortable. And I might add…. with a smile. It’s not just the price and the ports…. it’s the wonderful personalities on board each and every ship.
I got such a laugh out of your description of the Russian people! Oh, the pictures you cause me to conjure up in my mind!!! LOL
Thanks for sharing….
Princess Barb
Hey John,
Been busy with life lately and have not been able to post in a while. However, we have been reading every blog.
On the subect of the cigar bar, when we were on the Glory last year, our biggest annoyance was the placement of the internet cafe. My wife absolutely hates the smell cigarette and cigar smoke. She even made me quit smoking 18 years ago when we were married. We only went to the internet cafe once because of this. We we able to use her laptop in the atrium, but I personally did not care to drag it out of the stateroom just to get a few minutes of access to check our mail. I am persuaded that if you could get shipwide wifi access, or move the internet cafe, that would be the best option. I liked the location of the cigar bar, in as much as it did not interfere Heidi-Beth’s dislike of the smell.
Til next time
Kevin
John, I have just read your posting of the bittersweet letters from both the couple facing cancer together and the later one from the widow finding some joy on her cruise. Sharing these tributes of love from these people with us shows what a really thoughtful man you are. It also makes me realize how fortunate I am to be leaving next week to fly to London and board the Splendor with my spouse of 39 years. We must Carpe Diem!!! and we plan to on our “Splendorific” Carnival cruise!! Thanks..see you soon!
Deb
Great post again John, thank you.
I have it on good authority that the French in Cherbourg have le syndrome du cerveau moisi due to the excessive humidity in their town, hence they are prone to random outbursts of friendliness. And the Queen Mary 2! What were they supposed to do?!
On the cigar bar. I love jazz and hate smoke in all its forms. I hate that when I go hear jazz I have to throw my clothes overboard for the stink. But my husband begs to differ. He loves his cigar and jazz both. But I think he’s not the norm, no offense John, because usually the cigar bar is sparsely populated on any given night. Methinks more people like their jazz without the cigars. So I applaud your trial, especially since he’ll just enjoy his cigar with a basketball game instead, nothing wrong with that.
Five days until Splendor for me, I cannot wait!
Annie
John, I’m sorry that you got the one complainer about Germany. Did they not know when they booked the cruise that they were going to visit Germany? I’m sorry what happend to their grandparents and I hope that the world will never have to go through that again. We will be sailing on the Freedom come this December for the short cruise and I hope that they (Carnival) has not messed with the cigar bar by then. It is the only time that I (Tim) enjoy smoking a cigar with a very nice drink in hand.
Take care and enjoy your new ship
I was surprised that the couple felt Carnival was celebrating Germany. That is not what the music and food are about. Carnival just had an Octoberfest in July! While I don’t drink beer, I do love the German food served at Octoberfest. Sorry I couldn’t be there.
Wishing you a better day tomorrow, one with no complaints.
Dear John don’t second guess your decision about the Beer Fest.You can never make everyone happy.So go for the masses. As for the cigar smokers. I have never had a cigar are ciggy in my mouth in 57 years but I would hate to know that I couldn’t be accommodated if I did.There must be a simple solution somehow,but there again you will never make everyone happy.Just go with the flow and do the best you know how.God Bless have a great day. Gary and Bug
John,
I’m sorry but the smoking issue is just going to get worse IMO.
I think you already have a problem on Splendor having been on the Amsterdam trip (and paid for it!!!!!!)
To get to the shops from the sushi bar area mean transitting the very smoky casino.
Also, the sports bar being next to the shops meant that the smell of smoke was strong in the adjacent shop. I wouldn’t buy garments from a shop that smelled of smoke. Would you??
Don
john I thought the German food and music was a great idea, please keep it going, my late dad was a ex pow held by the germans during war world II and he lived in a train box car for many month and went to the bathroom and ate only turnips and I have no hard feelings against them.
I think moving the cigar lounge to the sports bar is a crazy idea, the size of that lounge is so small compare to the other lounge
Wish I had been there for the Bier Party. The American people decided to rebuild Germany and Japan after WWII, quite successfully.
The holocaust is over as is slavery. Let’s worry about Angelina Jolie’s kids, and how to mummify ALGORE.
Keep having the brats& beer. Maybe the can add this to the Legend & Glory also??
John, yes all those horrible things happened in Germany and must be remembered just like Pearl Harbor and 911 but it’s know time for Mr. and Mrs. ____ to get with the it. I would bet any money they drive a Japanese car. What did they do while in Germany stay on the ship or go into Germany and give every Germany dirty looks.
BIG ED
Sorry to hear about your “small” but could have gotten big problem. It is sad some of the past stories many folks have, some move on and others can never take that step. Its not right and wrong, it just is what it is. So you were a champ in just taking it in the chin and moving on you still have the other 3,300 passengers to attend to. Maybe the answer is why, why did they choose a cruise that the knew it was stopping at a location that brought back sad memories? Only they can answer that, I guess. Keep smiling and have a Brat Wurst and a Gross Bier Bitte for me.
Luis & Maria Torres
John, if you host a beir party and play German music on the Bloggers cruise I promise not to complain.
The cruise ship passengers want to experiance a true Russia then they will enjoy the wait in lines. Maybe not, be prepared for more complaints. Take it with a grain of salt, some are born complainers while others have made it an Olympic sport.
John,
Loved the letters today, so glad to see them again. The couple dwelling on their sadness of a terrible time in our history are to be respected as you did, but should not color your decision to hold the bierfest, it was a brilliant idea!!
The letter to Big Tex on Fantasy (hi Big Tex!!) hit home with me as I share that overwhelming sense of gratitude for the blessings that have come to me from our Carnival, Cruise Critic, and Blogger family.
And now I must also pass on my distress at the functional dismantling of Ivory, one of the most lovely environments on our Glory!! My family gathered every day pre and post dinner to enjoy the special atmosphere, and the space is so perfectly done. It will NOT be right without the presence of content cigar smokers relishing a respite. It just ain’t right! I fully expect you to report a significant downturn in the utilization of that lovely place, please let us know!
I say re-locate the internet cafe to the library or some such space, and offer Jazz in the Atruim at some times to accomodate non-smokers who enjoy Jazz…also, block off access for the cut-through to the dining room and direct passengers to the non-smoking path. We all know the quirks of moving around Conquest-class ships anyway…
I can’t wait to hear more of the Russian adventures!! As always, we are grateful that you take us with you!!
Love you all,
Eva
I think we need a “Bier Fest” and the German band on the Fantasy Blogger’s Cruise! I can’t believe the family that complained………you’re never going to please everyone.
John;
CIGARS: I don’t smoke. That said: I love cigars… I love the aromatic pleasure of just being close by… I don’t smoke ‘em but I enjoy ‘em… Yes… there are nasty ones out there, but these are not in the majority in a Cigar Bar…
I think Carnival is taking it too seriously. They have built their success and are rewarded with an expanding market… Why fiddle with success??? Sure, new ships can be built and configured differently… but for the established ships… leave well enough alone. What is here is what IS Carnival! If people didn’t like, we wouldn’t be cruising!!!
The BIER FESTIVAL: Local custom and culture is IMPORTANT and should be heralded… YES, you called it a BIER festival… not GERMANY is and was and always will be right and never do wrong… Just as any country!! Should we stop touring each port and never serve Baked Alaska?? Stop the Champagne and Chocolate Gateau? Rock ‘n Roll is from the devil… remember Elvis??? John, heaven forbid, you have an accent… but then so do I to someone outside of Texas!
HOGWASH… Keep doing what works!!!
If you have any questions or would like further comment, please feel free to contact me 1-800-MY-OPINION.
And I’m a loyal stock holder, too!! If that holds any more weight…
Lambie
Good happy morning Mr. Heald. I’m sorry that Mr. & Mrs. _____ didn’t like the German beer fest on the Lido but give me a break. When they took the cruise didn’t they realize that Germany was involved during the cruise? Thank God that the rest of the people enjoyed themselves. Why must you always deal with stupid people. Why didn’t they check out the cruise before they chose it?How is your diet making out? Mine is not so good. Oh well, I’ll keep trying. Ciao my friend.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
All those French on the pier at Cherbourg!
Standing so close together!
In the warm sunshine!
All that cheese!
Statistics suggest that each French person has 2 armpits – I just hope that the Queen Mary 2 had enough air fresheners……..
JOHN, PLEASE ANSWER THE QUESTION IN THE MIDDLE IF YOU HAVE TIME.
Hey there!
To “borrow” from Abe Lincoln: You can please all of the people some of the time and some of the people all of the time, but you cannot please all of the people all of the time. (I know, I know, it’s “fool,” mai c’est le meme chose, n’est pas?) You did the right thing with the beer fest…you were in Germany, Dude!
Not sure I’d ever want to visit Russia. If it’s that unfriendly I don’t need to be cold and nervous just to see St. Petersburg…I’ll just do the one here in Florida!
Nice to know “Algore” aggravates you as much as he does me! When he moves from his huge house(es) someone might begin to take him seriously.
[BTW, what do you think of our (we Americans') choices in the current run for the presidency? Don't be shy...I know you have an opinion on everything and it's fun to hear! Besides, if you can insult other countries (including your own) why should we get a pass?]
Cigar bar: I smoked cigarettes for more years than I like to think about, have not for 19 years, but still believe in an individuals right to do so. Those folks are not criminals, just picked up a habit not pleasing to everyone else, but should have somewhere to call their own…so keep the cigar bar and figure a way to re-route everyone else. Actually, I like the ideas put out there by (Linda, Mom of DJ). (Linda…congrats on the upgrade!)
Best to Heidi.
Your Pal, Myra
John,
1.I want to support, the cigar bar crowd, Please put it back, I’m sure with a little creative scheduling of public rooms everbody can be accomodated.
2. octoberfest,the problem is not the German people, “it’s those jerks with the black boots and starched uniforms that caused the problem”, a quote from my late uncle (2 bronze stars, 2 purple hearts, was with Patton from africa to berlin) and by the way according to my family historian (my brother) the black boot guys killed just about everyone of my relations in the old country as well as the entire village they came from..
3. I believe Al, I’m waiting to sell my house (7 miles from the ocean) untill it becomes ocean front property, so I can buy some ocean front property in Nevada!!. Ya need to plan ahead don’t you think? Think I’ll live that long???
daytonadan
My two cents worth regarding the cigar bar – keep the cigar bar and don’t move it to the Sports Bar near the casino. I enjoy both the sports at the Sports Bar and the casino but smoke really bothers my nose and eyes. I would really hate to have cigar smoke that near the casino and the shops. Bad idea!! Personally, I wish smoking was only allowed on the one side of the Lido Deck and the Cigar Bar.
We have a very large (around 90 people) Cruise Critic group sailing on the Splendor on August 6 (just a couple weeks from now!) How can we arrange a meet and greet? Several people have tried to get hold of John and have been unsuccessful….please advise, we want to get this together!!!!!! Thanks
John
The cigar/martini bar on the Pride has also been changed to non smoking and moved to the Sports bar. I don’t smoke but my wife,who does smoke cigarettes, and I loved going to the cigar bar for a before dinner drink and to enjoy the beautiful wood paneling, murals and the music. I think it should be changed back and we should stop being so politically correct.
PS I loved the video of the Splendor’s naming ceremony.
Roger T
John-
I already addressed this with you, but since we’re being asked to weigh in again – PLEASE put the cigar bar back where it belongs! We sail on the Glory in October… please see if we can fix this before then!?
Hello , john
myy family in sweden may sail whith you from dover!
from JAKE S. ( ;
hello john
we loved the vids from the BIER party
wish we were on the ship,loved the music
to. to the old fools that bitched,,
GIT-A-LIFE, always one jerk to bitch about something.
tell MR MRS ——– to sail with rccl.
keep up the good work,love the blogs
your freinds for sunny florida
tom & jane
Oh John, problems problems. I think it very sad that people book to go on a cruise that includes Germany and then can’t handle a perfectly enjoyable celebration that is a tradition of the country. How will they handle Russia, where Jewish people also had a very bad time. How sad that they spoilt their holiday with so much upset. As for the Cigar bar, well sometimes I smoke and sometimes I dont. I would rather not but Will Power is not with me right now. Nevertheless the Cigar Bar is what it is and should remain. Maybe a glass partition as was suggested earlier will suffice. whatever happens I do hope the cigar bar stays.
Will you be running the Beerfest every cruise? It sounds and looks terrific and I would love to attend on the cruise of 18th August.
Sooo looking forward to the trip now. Dad is counting down and trying to work out to the nth degree how he will take his wheelchair and his mobility scooter and also whether we need to leave home (Essex) the night before or 6am in the morning to reach Dover by midday. hehheh!!!
My brother is practicing his poker skills and Jim my husband is starting to chill out in readyness.
Cant wait for the day and looking forward to seeing you John and Heidi again
An authentic German band and local beer is a wonderful idea, and like any great idea there is someone who will not like it. Such is human nature. While I can understand their feelings I also would have to ask why they booked a cruise that included a stop in Germany if their feelings are so strong.
Back to the great idea part of this missive….what would it take to have Carnival add local brews to other vessels, such as Belikin for ships that visit Belize, for instance?
Leave the cigar bar for those who enjoy it but move the internet cafe so I don’t have to walk through the smokey area. I am allergic to smoke and it is hard to hold my breath through the whole cigar bar. I wish there was a beer fest on every cruise. It sounds like so much fun.
Hey John,
Been a while, but we have been dealing with real life lately. Still reading the blog every day, though. As for the cigar bar. When we were on the Glory last year, Heidi-Beth could not go to the internet cafe. She cannot stand the smell of smoke in any way or form. We went down there one time, and that was it. It was very annoying having to drag her laptop out and carry it down to the atrium. We ended up with very limited internet access because of this. I think that the best option would be to get shipwide wifi, or move the internet cafe to a more suitable location.
On the other hand, she did like the location of the cigar bar. It was very out of the way, and innocuous. It did not cause her any problems at all. Not like some of the lounges where you could barely walk by for the smoke smell coming out of them. We just learned real quick which way to walk around the ship to avoid the areas that we did not want to go near.
Til next time
Kevin
Jennifer: About the Meet and Greet….
we have over 100 folks sailing on the Ecstasy in Sept.
We arranged a Meet and Greet by telling everyone to meet at the piano bar immediately after the Muster Drill. No other assistance needed.
It really is just that simple.
John,
But that was a long,long time ago.
Fantast German beir party. Ahh, the memories of laying in the gutter during Octoberfest come rushing back,
I have never smoked and hate the smell of cigar and cigarrette smoke. But, I do believe in a persons choice. The Cigar Bar needs to stay.
And thats all I have to say on that:)
Dennis
Seriously I don’t think that a cruise director should have to apologize for all of the social injustices and or human travesties that have occurred since the dawn of time. Should have told your angered guest that it was a Dutch Beer Fest….. Heineken anyone?
el Flying Dutchman
I may create some contention here……….as far as the loss of a Cigar bar ….not so much of a loss in my humble opinion.
I like listening to some sultry jazz now and then ….ok….more often than that……and doing so sans the fog…smog…toxic choking cloud… from el fogey stogy makes it more enjoyable….
Perhaps putting a cigar bar up around the tail fin exhaust ports would be a more fitting locale…..oh I am kidding ……(a little bit anyway)
I haven’t read in awhile and am catching up tonight. Having sailed on the Glory three times, I am glad that their is no longer smoking in the area that I walked through to get to the internet cafe. I got online daily during all 3 of my cruises and am not a smoker. I didn’t like going through there and then smelling like smoke myself. I liked the very first comment about a walkway of some sort through the area. I wouldn’t think it would be too complicated to make a walkway along that back wall that leads to the internet cafe. It’s a huge room down there anyway. Surely a compromise can be made for all?!
John,
I would like to make a comment that the letter about the open safe reminded me of. I think it is amazing when I leave for dinner and I come back and the cabin has been cleaned. With that I think Carnival needs to do away with the “sign here saying that you met me” thing that they have all of the cabin stewards do. They do a good enough job where they should not have to be bothered with this seemingly unnecessary step.
My two cents,
_BigMike
Blog Security
Hi John/Heidi:
Nice hearing from you and a great old-time blog just like the past. Looking forward to seeing Q&A responses in the near future as well.
I think as long as there is a place to enjoy a cigar, then its a good compromise.
Great interview with the casino manager.
Nice pictures as well. Looks very pretty.
Thanks for posting and keep in touch.
Hope the diet is ok
David
Hi John – Please pass on to Gareth Millar that we are glad to see he is also on the ship and running the Casino. We will be sailing with you on August 30 – we can’t wait.
John,
Would it help if we had copies of our Passports all ready to go? Please reply……..
In regards to the cigar bar. I think people forget that we all have to compromise on these things. So you don’t like the smell of smoke then avoid those areas. Smokers can’t hang out and enjoy certain areas if they would like to smoke so they have to make that choice. I might be allergic or don’t like the smell of your perfume but I still have to deal with it at dinner. I don’t like to be around children but you have a right to bring them on the cruise.
Basically the cigar bar should stay the way it is.
John,
Having a cigar while listening to jazz was one of the things that made my husband fall in love with cruising. We’re booked on Glory next May. Our daughter is getting married on board, so we can’t very easily change to a different ship. I’m really not looking forward to telling my husband about the change in the cigar bar. It’s the kind of thing that would make him decide to stop cruising. I hope the decision will be reversed. Is there someone in particular in Miami that I can email directly?
Pat
InMN253
Will be joining you on th eSplendor on 06Aug. Have cruised many, many times on Carnival – Platinum cruisers, and this will be my 4th Carnival cruise this year.
One of the things I love on Carnivla is th ewillingness to accomodate smokers as well as nonsmokers. I enjoy havign places ot smoke and am always go to those when smoking.
please do nto tak eaway those areas. There are plenty of other areas for nonsmokers. A Cigar Bar by virtue of it sname should allow smoking.
If w eever truly ban smoking in all inside areas, we should also ban cheap perfume and body odour which is much more offensive and pervasive.